On decorative ponds of Mykolaiv Zoo right now it is possible to see a blossoming water lily – an extremely beautiful plant of fresh reservoirs.
Water lily is not just a beautiful flower, but a symbol of grace and beauty. This plant is the heroine of many legends. The Slavs called it the “odolin-grass” and attributed to water lily a magical power. Often pieces of its rootstock were sewn into an amulet and worn on the chest as a talisman against evil forces and robbers who ambushed the traveler. Another name for this plant is the “mermaid flower”. According to the legend the water lily at night, hiding under water, turns into a magical mermaid. Tales and legends about elves living in lily flowers are widespread in Western Europe.
Different varieties of water lilies are common plants in landscape gardening.
